Some Keke Riders have complained of Maltreatment since they decided to withdraw their membership from the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW.
The tricycle operators situated in Abule-Egba, Agbado-Oke-odo Local Council Development Area of Lagos, on Tuesday, aired their grievances regarding the manners their Keke Marwa riders are treated, alleging harassment as they protested around the Ekoro, Command, Ile-Iwe and Agbelekale areas, respectively.
They accused the Tricycles Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria, TOOAN, chief, Azeez Abiola (aka Istijabah) of sponsoring attacks on their colleagues, who later denied the allegations, claiming that his men were rather the victims of attacks.
One of the riders named Olanrewaju David, who plies Meiran axis, also alleged that Abiola harassed them with armed men, adding that since the suspension of the NURTW activities by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, loyalists of Abiola have been attacking them with weapons.
He pointed out that Abiola’s men have interfered with their daily hustle routine, disorganising their work schedule and placing fears in the minds of their members.
Meanwhile, the former TOOAN Branch ‘B’ Secretary, AbdulLateef Adebiyi alleged that Abiola ordered them to pronounce their loyalty to the suspended transport workers or the Keke riders continue to face attacks.
He replied Adeniyi, saying, “We told him that Lagos state government has suspended union activities and replaced it with Park Management Committee, but he insisted that we have to belong to the NURTW, else we’ll continue to face the backlash. Is he (Abiola) bigger than the state government?” He asked.